Memorial Day is one of the US holidays that doesn't occur in Australia but I think it's fair to say there's an unofficial Memorial Day in Australia. Poor Steve Irwin. Mr Crikey himself, the Crocodile Hunter met an untimely end in what can only be described as a freak accident. I think he was odd-on to have a tangle with a crocodile that ended badly one day but stabbed through the heart by a stingray was unexpected.
He's a good advertisement for living life by your passions. Even knowing he would suffer a painful death, I doubt he would have changed anything in his life. He's also a pretty good advertisement for the fact that if you choose dangerous activities, you're exposing yourself to risks that other folks don't have to deal with and they might catch up with you one day.
Another passing that will doubtless get less exposure is the death of Australian kids' book author, Colin Thiele, at 85. He was most famous for a book called "Storm Boy". When I was young, every Australian schoolkid had to read this book. It was something about a boy and a pelican and gaining wisdom from an aboriginal bloke. I honestly don't remember the details although I read the book and saw the movie.
On a personal note, things are a bit sad on the home front right now. My girlfriend's cat, Furgle, met an untimely end last night - a victim of the scourge of urban cats: a passing car. He was a very nice kitty and much too young to have this happen (about 4 years old). A faithful companion who won't be forgotten.
OK, I promise to post a few videos later to cheer things up.
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